Summer Time Series

When better to go on a fun vacay then this summer?! We Bella’s are all about hard work, but with work should most certainly come play! Still wondering just where you should take those vacation days? Well, we have some fantastic ideas brought to you by our wonderful Bella gals. Take a look at some special spots where you can put your toes in the sand, or even bike through the mountains…

1. Martha's Vineyard... Shelley/ Nashville TN "An absolutely amazing place... I was fortunate enough to even live there after college!"

2. Rosemary Beach, FL... Hayley/ Houston TX "It is my definition of ultimate relaxation."

3. Nantucket Island, MA... Brittan/ Boston MA "This is my heaven on earth. I love the town, adorable little shops and the great restaurants. My favorite thing to do is start the day with a bike ride, and then head to the beach. After the beach, a little happy hour at the Gazebo and then grill out with friends. And if we still have some energy, we'll head to town and hit up the nightlife- The Straight Wharf is one of our favorites. I'm spoiled that it is only an hour and a half drive, and a ferry ride away."

4. Orange Beach, AL... Mary Kendall/ Mobile AL "Sugar white sand, deep blue water, and it's only an hour away from home!"

5. St. George Island, FL... Ashley/ Jacksonville FL "My husband's family has some beach homes on the island, and it's my all time favorite place! It's very relaxing, not crowded and it's just what I need to unwind. Oysters are one of my favorite foods and being that Apalachicola Bay is right there, it's the best place to get the freshest oysters!"

6. Charleston, SC... Allison/ Charleston SC "We live in a favorite summer vacation destination! I have to say we are pretty spoiled... we have so much to do and have beautiful beaches, that we really don't have to go anywhere!"

7. Hilton Head, SC... Megan/ Kansas City MO "We have been going there every other summer since I was 5, and now I'm taking my son!"

8. Vail, CO... Christy/ Raleigh NC "I know most people go there to ski, however in the summer it is absolutely beautiful. The weather is amazing. You can take the ski lifts to the top of the mountains and then rent bikes at the top and ride down! Vail, Beaver Creek, and Aspen have a lot of summer festivals, bands, etc... plus since it is a winter getaway, it is not as busy!"

9. The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA... Whitney/ Baltimore MD "My family's been going there for years, and this summer they opened a brand new pool complex.  I'm headed for that lazy river asap!"


xoxo,
 Bella

31 Bits

Hearing of the inspirational company, 31 Bits, we Bella’s could not pass up the opportunity to work with the amazing women who created it all. Kallie Dovel, who traveled to Uganda in 2007, founded 31 Bits after meeting local Northern Ugandan women who were making beautiful jewelry from homemade paper beads. Getting to learn more about these phenomenal women, Kallie saw the chance to assist her new friends in marketing and selling these pieces of jewelry. Gathering her own close group of friends, Kallie took her idea and created the development organization, 31 Bits. Beginning with selling jewelry from 6 Ugandan women, to now over 100, 31 Bits has changed the lives of not only these women, but also Kallie and her amazing team. We are honored to support and be part of 31 Bits and their mission to use “fashion and design to empower women to rise above poverty.”

We got a chance to speak with Jessie Simonson, Director of Sales, to hear more about the mission of 31 Bits and how we can help the women of Uganda…

Jessie Simonson

BB: Can you tell us a little more about the mission of 31 Bits?

J: 31 Bits is a socially minded business using fashion and design to empower women to rise above poverty.  We work with women in Northern Uganda who are making jewelry out of recycled paper.  By selling the jewelry here, they not only provide a sustainable monthly income for the women, but also education and development programs that prepare the women for future careers.

BB: What is the process of buying and selling the jewelry, and how does it specifically help the women in the 31 Bits program?

J: We purchase jewelry from each woman on a monthly basis, providing them with an immediate, consistent, and fair income. Each piece of jewelry is handmade using 100% recycled paper and other local materials. By selling these products in the international market, we are able to generate a profit that is used to continue purchasing jewelry for our beneficiaries, as well provide them with numerous development programs, equipping them to develop a career and attain social equity on a local level. We are committed to working with each woman until she has graduated from our program and attained a sustainable means of income within her own community.

BB: What kind of education do the women receive in your program?

J: The women in our program are given the opportunity to learn and develop various skills in our program that include...

English Lessons
: We provide English lessons for each of our beneficiaries. Most of the women we work with have never had the opportunity to learn English because they could not afford to go to school. We offer bi-weekly lessons taught by one of our program managers, Gladies. Although the English lessons are optional, almost every woman attends because of their strong desire to learn. After starting the program, we realized that within a few months, women were already having conversations in English!

Finance Training: 
We partnered with local University professors and our board members to develop a finance-training program for our beneficiaries. After going through the program, each of our beneficiaries will have an understanding of poverty and the mindset behind living in poverty, as well as how to save money, manage an account, budget for their families’ needs, and how to take out or pay back a loan. Every woman in our program has received a personal bank account.

Community Groups: 
We’ve taken a holistic approach to development, meaning we think it is important to care for our women beyond their economic and educational needs. We also want to make sure they are being cared for mentally and emotionally. We connected with a local organization to assist in training six of our beneficiaries in counseling and leadership. The rest of our beneficiaries have been divided into Community Groups that meet with a leader on a weekly basis. These weekly gatherings provide a unique opportunity for beneficiaries to seek counsel and prayer from their leader. Community groups also provide an opportunity to check up on each of the beneficiaries’ work and finances.

AIDS and Health Education: 
Approximately one-third of our beneficiaries are HIV positive. By providing AIDS and Health education, our beneficiaries are able to receive counseling and guidance on how to take their medicine and stay healthy. This program is led by one of our project managers, Gladies. Gladies is attending a training in AIDS counseling, enabling her to teach other’s about physical well-being related to AIDS. Gladies also addresses mental health issues by being available to women for one-on-one counseling. Many of our women have undergone abuse and traumatizing events that they are addressing for the first time in their lives.

Vocational Training
: As our beneficiaries learn to save money, they are also learning to set goals for the future. Within three to five years from their entrance into the program, we want each beneficiary to graduate with a way of earning a sustainable living beyond 31 Bits; either by starting a business or joining an existing business. To prepare for this, each woman will attend a vocational training program. Not only will this program teach each woman the foundations of starting and operating a business, but it will also help women identify their talents and skills and how individual skills can be maximized in the local market. We will guide beneficiaries in the development of their businesses by providing individual business mentors.

BB: We’re absolutely smitten with all of the 31 Bits jewelry, especially the new wedding line. Can you tell us what inspired the wedding collection?

J: The theme of The Wedding Collection is “First Comes Love...” Your relationship didn’t start with a wedding, just like 31 Bits didn’t start with a business plan. It simply started with love. When the girls of 31 Bits met women in Uganda, heard their stories, saw their talents, and met their families, they knew there was an opportunity to do something much greater. It began in 2008, selling jewelry made by six Ugandan women, and have since then grown to over 100 women! With every piece of jewelry sold, women are being empowered. The Wedding Collection gives brides the opportunity to use their love story to share another story. As these exquisite pieces play a part in your big day, they will also play a part in creating new futures for our women in Uganda.

If you are interested in learning more about 31 Bits, or would like to check out the exquisite jewelry... click on the following links:

31 Bits Official Site

31 Bits The Story

31 Bits Identity Video

Wedding Collection Part 1

Wedding Collection Part 2

Contact your local Bella Bridesmaid to ask about the 31 Bits collection! 

Summer Time Series

In addition to some nice sunshine and fresh air, our Bella's told us some of their beauty secrets to looking their very best during these summer months. From bronzers and sunscreen, to some glamourous nail polish colors we have got you covered from head to toe! Let us know by commenting if you have any beauty secrets that you think are must have's for this hot summer...

1. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder... Brittan/ Boston MA "This powder alone will carry me through the whole summer giving me just the extra bronze I want!"

2. butter LONDON... Jamie/ Las Vegas NV "I adore these polish colors Artful Dodger & Macbeth by butter! The colors are bright and fun, an overall great look for summer."

3. Benefit "They're Real" Mascara... Brittan/ Boston MA "I love this mascara because it adds length and volume and most importantly last all day, even in the heat."

4. Jane Iredale D20 Hydration Facial Spritz... Maribeth & Madison/ Westport CT "Great for setting makeup in the summer heat, and good to use throughout the day to refresh your complexion!"

5. Smith's Rosebud Salve... Trinh/ Orange County CA "A nice lip moisturizer with an added gloss look without being sticky!"

6. Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunscreen... Haley/ Houston TX "The spray sunscreen is so easy to use and necessary for our hot Texas summers... can't do without it!"

7. M.A.C. Hey Sailor SunTints... Whitney/ Baltimore MD "Mac's new SunTints SPF 20 Lip Gloss in Sea Mist- it's a bit of color, but not too sticky to wear out and about during the day."

8. Olay Complete Moisturizer... Christy/ Raleigh NC "Very smooth, light, and inexpensive."

9. Jergens Natural Glow... Sandy/ Cleveland OH "It is a fabulous gradual self tanner, great for arms and legs. It helps ease me into summer, especially with all the dresses I wear in the store!"

10. Maybelline Baby Lips... Allison/ Indianapolis IN "I love Baby Lips by Maybelline. It is the perfect soft pink shade and SPF 20!"

11. Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish... Jeana Lee & Charlotte/ Birmingham AL "An amazing exfoliator after long days in the summer sun."

                             


           xoxo,
                     Bella

En Trend with Jane of "The Glamourist"

Jane Kim is an expert when it comes to being your most glamorous self! An award winning make-up artist and hair stylist based in San Francisco, not only is she the *best* at what she does, but has a fab blog to boot! Jane's blog, "The Glamourist" always keeps us up to date on the hottest trends. Jane shared with us some creative inspiration focused on bright colors!

Jane here, from The Glamourist! My favorite trend of the season is COLOR! Naturally, for me, it was  fitting to cover color blocking, as I love all the bright hues people have been donning... from bright red pants, hot pink blouses to even neon! Translating color into beauty looks may seem a bit daunting but with my easy tricks, you’ll soon be rocking these stunning hues.

My favorite combo in color blocking, specifically wedding beauty trends, are the bold lips paired with soft eyes and dewy skin, keeping eyes very minimal with mascara and just a smudge of eyeliner.  These looks are quick and easy for women on-the-go. Another fun way to add a pop of color is on your nails. Since the nails aren't near the face, you're able to get away with more daring colors like neon, greens and even nail art, which is a widely popular trend.

  

I hope this inspires you to go out add some color to your lives!

Dress: Amsale G675J / Bow Ties: Today's Tie / Earrings: Kendra Scott "Dee" / Sandals: Piperlime / Nail Polish: Essie

Summer Time Series

Whether you're stuck inside the office from 9-5, or you're lucky enough to be seaside for a holiday, summer time brings cravings for some tasty cocktails! So, to start off our Summer Time Series, here's our Bella gals fave summer refreshers. Representing the North, South, East and West, we got the inside scoop on some delicious drinks (mocktails too!) that our ladies love to enjoy on these hot summer days..........

1. Watermelon Mojito... Rae Anne/ Denver CO "I saw Bobby Flay create this delicious concoction on the Food Network, and I had to try it. Now easily my favorite summer cocktail!"

2. Huckleberry Lemonade... Maribeth & Madison/ Westport CT "We discovered this drink at a local pub. Shout out to The Little Pub in Ridgefield, CT! Their bartenders are the best. WARNING-These babies sneak up on you."

3. Basil Lemonade & vodka... Lacy/ Washington DC "I think Basil Lemonade and vodka is the absolute perfect summer drink. My friend made it at a summer event a few years ago and I have loved it ever since."

4. Michelada... Allison/ Charleston SC "Right now my fave drink is the Michelada, being that my husband and I just returned from Costa Rica. There are different versions but mine is simple:
Salt rimmed glass, ice, heavy lime juice and your favorite beer. Cheers!"

5. St. Germaine Champagne... Allison/ Indianapolis IN "I LOVE a St. Germaine champagne cocktail. So refreshing. I had it poolside when we were staying the Beverly Hills Hotel."

6. Goombay Smash... Megan & Danielle/ Kansas City MO "We added this fantastic drink to our list of favorites after staying at The Sands Hotel in the Bahamas. Beware; it is tasty and will sneak up on you ;)"

7. Sangria... Ashley/ Jacksonville FL "I'm normally a simple red wine type of girl, but in the summer months I like to mix things up a bit and enjoy a glass of fresh Sangria!"

8. Margarita... A favorite amongst many Bella's including Shelley & Mary Kendall/ Nashville TN & Mobile AL "I can never turn down a margarita! On the rocks with salt please!"- Shelley

9. Blueberry Mint Lemonade... Bridget/ San Francisco CA "Easy to make and refreshing...reminds me of being at a spa! You can also add cucumbers. This is the perfect picnic drink to make in a large pitcher. A real crowd pleaser!"

Remember it's always 5 o'clock somewhere!


xoxo,
Bella

Meet & Greet: Kristy Young, owner of Greenville

Kristy and family

Kristy Young celebrated the opening of her Bella Bridesmaid Greenville store in October of 2007. Living in South Carolina with her husband, Kristy sought after the opportunity to open up her own Bella boutique after being introduced to the franchise through a friend’s wedding. Since becoming part of the Bella family, Kristy has not only helped plan her sister’s wedding and providing some gorgeous Amsale gowns, but has also added to her own family with brand new twins! We caught up with Kristy and asked her a few questions, including how she likes to spend her down time away from the kids…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

K: I was an associate auditor with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLC. I worked for them for a couple of years, but having worked in retail during graduate school, I knew I wanted to get back into that type of business. I was introduced to the franchise through my cousin and best friend who were getting married and using Bella Bridesmaid Nashville and Charleston. I researched more into Bella and became more and more interested in the franchise. I contacted Bridget and the rest is history!

Kristy wearing Amsale for her sister's wedding

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique? 

K: Helping my sister plan her wedding. She had a large wedding party with 13 bridesmaids. All of us having different body types, (I was going to be 7 months pregnant during the wedding) we needed to find a dress that suited everyone and for a beach setting. We decided on Amsale’s G462C in coral. Everyone looked amazing!

Carol Hannah, Pinckney Street

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it? 

K: Wow, a night out?! Having just had twins, with a 22 month old at home, a night out sounds amazing. I would love to start off at our local wine cafe and then continue on to a restaurant downtown for dinner with my husband and friends. Again, having just had babies, I would go for something easy and comfortable to wear - Carol Hannah’s Pinckney Street long dress fits that description. I would pair it with my favorite gold dangle earrings, my big red pocketbook and my gold flip flops. I also LOVE my Maggie dress by LulaKate and wear it often for special events.

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

K: Hands down, Ivanka Trump. Stunning!

BB: Tell us about a favorite recent bride that has an interesting story.

K: I had a bride come to me that was getting married in 3 weeks time.  She had ordered her dresses at another local boutique and when she went to pick up her dresses she was surprised to find out the store had shut down shop and the dresses had not been ordered. She came to me wondering if there was anything we could do to help outfit her 10 maids. I called LulaKate and after hearing her story they quickly responded and had 10 dresses made. She even got to choose her color and style. I was so glad we were able to make sure that the girls most important to her were able to stand by her side on her wedding day. 

BB: How would you describe your own personal style? 

K: Contemporary, yet timeless and versatile.  I like to find items that I can easily dress up or down and use for a long time. 

Kristy(R) with friend

BB: Favorite place traveled?

K: San Francisco is probably one of my favorite cities.  But, I’m so fortunate to live only 3 hours away from Charleston, a city I travel to often and reminds me a lot of San Francisco.

BB: Favorite movie that you can watch over and over? 

K: Sweet Home Alabama and Walk the Line are my two favorite movies.

BB: Everyday wear item? 

K: My gold Old Navy flip flops. Perfectly comfortable!

BB: Celebrity crush?

K: I would have to say the Manning brothers… being football super stars make them even more attractive!

BB: Favorite quote or expression?

K: “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” -Aristotle

Kristy pictured with Amsale, Lisa- Amsale rep along
with fellow Bella owners

Now for This & That...

American Idol or The Voice? 

American Idol, only because I’ve never seen The Voice. I don’t get to watch much TV.

Sun or Snow? 

Sun for sure, but I do love to ski- so during ski season snow, but don’t bring it to South Carolina!

Prince William or Prince Harry?

Do I really have to choose a prince? I’ll take either :)

Kristy at her sister-in-law's wedding

Vogue or Cosmo?

Depends on who is on the cover.

Mac or PC?

Mac

                                     Thank you Kristy!

Meet & Greet: Molly, owner of Tampa

Molly on her honeymoon in Hawaii
wearing Amsale

How does she do it?! Bella Bridesmaid Tampa owner, Molly James is simply amazing. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with an MBA from the University of Alabama, a successful business woman, and now a proud momma to be… Molly proves you can do it all! This remarkable lady joined the Bella family in March of 2010 and has certainly been keeping busy. Enjoying her time with her Tampa brides and fellow Florida Bella owners, Molly was able to take some time to answer a few questions for us…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

Molly (L) with Orlando owner Christa

M: Immediately before opening, I was the Manager of Recruiting for the MBA Program at the University of South Florida. Prior to that, I had worked in banking and finance. I have an Economics degree from Vanderbilt and an MBA from the University of Alabama, so I was definitely very business-focused throughout my education and career. I always knew that I wanted to take on the challenge of business ownership, and the idea of a franchise was very appealing to me. When I began planning my own wedding in October 2009, I discovered Bella Bridesmaid and I immediately knew that I had to pursue the opportunity to open a store in Tampa. Bella Bridesmaid presents such a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurially minded women to own a business, and I have made such amazing friends through this process. I talk to the owners of the other Florida stores all the time, and I always know that I can reach out to any of the other owners if I need to bounce around ideas or questions. We have such a wonderful, strong Bella family, and we have lots of fun when we all get together!

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

Molly with her maids in LulaKate
Image by Parker J. Phister

M: I would have to say that it was the experience of working with my first bride when I opened my store. She was the sweetest girl, and our weddings were around the same time. After working with her, I knew that Bella Bridesmaid was the right decision. Now I run into her around Tampa sometimes, and we're both expecting babies, so it's been fun keeping in touch.

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it?

M: Whether it's a girl's night out or date night with my husband, I love to start with cocktails and conversation at a nice wine bar followed by a delicious dinner at one of Tampa's many fabulous restaurants. I would wear the Lula Kate Zoe with an off-white bodice and peacock tulip skirt paired with the Kendra Scott Harlow necklace and Tela ring in blue agate, and I'd complete the look with a pretty gold clutch and stilettos. 

Joanna Garcia, Image by Anthony Vazquez
via People

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

M: I loved the beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown worn by Tampa native Joanna Garcia when she married Nick Swisher, she looked beautiful and the gown was perfect!

BB: How would you describe your own personal style?

M: For day to day, I am pretty classic and conservative. I am happy wearing simple wrap dresses and cardigans most of the time. I definitely like to spice it up more for special occasions though; it's sort of my chance to go outside of my normal comfort zone with dresses and accessories. I'll often raid the racks of the store to find fun dresses and accessories for unexpected nights out too.

BB: Favorite place traveled?

M: Hands down it was Kauai, Hawaii for my honeymoon. I cannot imagine a more beautiful island or a more perfect place to begin our marriage. Hawaii is also the perfect place to wear or re-wear Amsale's long chiffon dresses in some of their bright and beautiful colors. I took three of them with me on my honeymoon and wore them out to a few different dinners.

BB: Favorite movie that you can watch over and over?

M: When Harry Met Sally. I don't think I could ever get tired of that movie. 

BB: Everyday wear item?

M: I have a jewelry "uniform" that I put on every morning that consists of my wedding ring and bands, a simple diamond pendant necklace, a black onyx David Yurman ring, a pair David Yurman bangle bracelets, and a pair of Kendahl pave studs from Nina Bridal. I'm super pregnant right now, so my favorite shoes at the moment are my pewter and platinum Stephen Bonanno Palm Beach sandals. Once my feet recover, you'll find them in some sort of Tory Burch wedges pretty much all the time.

Tim McGraw, Image by Bryan Bedder via Ryan Seacrest

BB: Celebrity crush?

M: After seeing him in concert recently, it's definitely Tim McGraw. That man looks really good for 45 years old, and he is much hotter on stage singing than in any of his movies.

BB: Favorite quote or expression?

M: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -Helen Keller

Now for This & That...

Molly with Bridget Brown, franchise owner and Amsale
Bridal Market 2011

American Idol or The Voice?

The Voice during blind auditions, American Idol during the actual elimination portion

Sun or Snow? Sun

Prince William or Prince Harry? Harry

Vogue or Cosmo? Vogue

Mac or PC? Mac

Thank you Molly!

LulaKate New Spring 2013 Collection

LulaKate, LulaKate, LulaKate... where to begin? Gorgeous colors that are totally swoon worthy, the most flattering and versatile styles a girl could ask for..... and a new striped print that makes for THE most adorable dress! You must take a minute to look through these new beauties, which will make you beyond excited to plan your bridal party's fresh look...

Meet & Greet: Lacey Campbell, owner of DC

In June of 2010, Lacey Campbell opened Bella Bridesmaid DC. Originally from Kentucky, Lacey came to the DC area to attend Georgetown University. After four years in our nation’s capital, Lacey decided to stay and fulfill her aspiration of opening her own business. With a franchise opportunity in DC, Lacey believed that Bella Bridesmaid was the perfect step to take, and not long after opened up her boutique! Lacey shared some of her history with us, as well as how it has been working with some fabulous DC brides…

BB: What was your career before becoming a Bella Bridesmaid owner, and what attracted you to the franchise?

L: I worked in sales at a software company. I was traveling a lot and felt like I was stuck staring at a computer most of my day. I was a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding and fell in love with the Bella Bridesmaid franchise. I was very attracted to the idea of helping brides and their maids select beautiful gowns. It has been a very rewarding job.

BB: What is the most memorable moment so far in owning your boutique?

L: One of my best friends got married last fall. It was so wonderful to help her select dresses and then be part of the wedding day as well. It was very touching to be asked to be a bridesmaid and wear the dresses from Bella Bridesmaid.

BB: What is your idea of a perfect night out on the town? Which one of our dresses would you wear, and how would you style it? 

Lacey with her dad at the Kentucky Derby

L: I have Lula Kate’s Zoe dress with a straight skirt in Black and it definitely serves as my LBD. I put a cardigan and belt over it with wedges for dinner and drinks. Or, I can dress it up with heels and big pearls for the perfect cocktail outfit.

BB: Fave celebrity wedding dresses?

L: I loved Kate Middleton’s dress. I think every little girl watched her wedding and dreamt of being a princess in that gown. But a close runner up would be Grace Kelly’s dress which I think was probably a source of her inspiration.

BB: How would you describe your own personal style? 

L: I love anything with inspired by the 1960’s fashion. I get a lot of great ideas from watching Mad Men. All my outfits aren’t complete without a chunky necklace and colorful handbag.

BB: Favorite place traveled?

L: I studied abroad in Chile during college. One weekend we climbed parts of the Andes Mountains on horseback. The views were incredible. Still baffles me how they were able to create such large stone statues and transport them across the island.

Lacey during her trip abroad to Chile

BB: Favorite movie that you can watch over and over?

L: The Breakfast Club- I grew up watching that movie and I could watch it a thousand more times.

BB: Everyday wear item? ie: pair of earrings, fave cardigan, scarf.

L: I never leave home without pearl earrings. During summer, I always have my big pair of Jackie O sunglasses.

BB: Celebrity crush? 

L: Prince Harry for sure. He’s better than a celebrity. He is royalty with an accent!

           

Bella Grand Opening in 2010         

Now for This & That...

Thin Mints or Samoas?  Samoas- from the freezer

Sun or Snow?  Sun. Its almost summer and I can’t wait.

Dine out or Home cooked meal? 

I love dinning out with friends. There are so many fabulous new restaurants in DC, I want to try them all.

Vogue or Cosmo? Vogue

Rock n Roll or Country—I grew up in Kentucky so I certainly have some Country on my iPod.

Thank you Lacey!